Brighton are believed to have accepted an offer for star winger Elliott Bennett from newly promoted Norwich City.
Brighton are believed to have accepted an offer for star winger Elliott Bennett from newly promoted Norwich City, although personal terms are still to be finalised.
The Canaries have been after Bennett since the January 2011 transfer window, where Brighton rebuffed two bids to keep him at the club until the end of the season.
Norwich have now come in with a bid which Brighton have accepted, which is rumoured to add up to over £1million including add ons.
Bennett was influential in the Seagulls own title winning season scoring 8 times, and assisting over 20 of Brighton’s 95 goals.
It will come as a bitter blow for Brighton fans as they are still coming to terms of losing their leading scorer, Glenn Murray to rivals Crystal Palace.
Russell Slade signed Bennett from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a 3 year deal in 2009 following a 7-1 defeat at Huddersfield Town.
This deal was extended during this season, but the lure of The Premier League and a bumper contract was too much, despite signing a new deal with Brighton.
Wolves will be keeping an eye on proceedings, as they are set to benefit from a sell on clause which was part of the deal when Bennett signed for Brighton.
Bennett played 99 times for The Seagulls, scoring 17 times and picking up the first medal of his professional career.
It was his pace and energy, as well as his sweet right foot that stood out making him a firm favourite amongst the Withdean faithful.
Norwich have been the busy early on in the transfer window, signing James Vaughan from Everton, bidding for Steve Morrison from Millwall, Craig McKail-Smith of Peterborough, Robert Snodgrass of Leeds United as well as Elliott Bennett from Brighton.
Gus Poyet returns to England today and is set to deal with the blow of losing his star man straight away, by announcing the signing of Will Buckley from Watford, in a deal that would smash The Seagulls record transfer fee by a considerable amount.
Buckley started his career at Rochdale, before moving to Watford in the January 2010 transfer window. Buckley has made 95 career appearances, scoring 18 goals.
Brighton have already signed Will Hoskins from Bristol Rovers, and Chelsea youth team products Ben Sampayo and Anton Rogers.
Gary Dicker and Liam Bridcutt have also signed two year deals with The League One Winners after their contracts were due to expire this summer.
